The Seahawks ended the regular season with the best record in the NFL, earned home field advantage throughout the playoffs and won the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers 23-17. They earned their way to the Super Bowl, but much like the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield would say, they still get no respect.
The win was sealed when cornerback Richard Sherman made an immaculate deflection in the end zone during the final seconds of the championship game against the 49ers that resulted in an interception by linebacker Malcom Smith.
Colin Kaepernick had avoided throwing in Sherman’s direction for the better part of four quarters but with a chance to win the game with a touchdown and the extra point, he went for Michael Crabtree in the end zone. Big mistake, Huge! The ball swam just out of reach of Crabtree and was tipped away by Sherman — end of ball game, signal confetti.
Seconds after the play, Sherman went to Crabtree with his hand extended shouting “Helluva game, helluva game,” to which Crabtree responded with a hand to Sherman’s facemask which resulted in a tirade during his post-game interview and much talk about Sherman calling Crabtree a “mediocre” receiver while referring to himself as the best corner in the league. In the aftermath, there didn’t seem to be much discussion about the incredible play he’d made or the great game played by the Seahawks to earn the win and a ticket to the Super Bowl.
Of course, the interview was out of context for people (not?) watching the game. What the audience saw was the Seahawks pull out a win with an amazing final play and then the man responsible for that play seemingly lose his mind while being interviewed by Fox reporter Erin Andrews. During the midst of his seemingly angry outburst, he referred to Michael Crabtree as a “sorry receiver” proclaimed his title as the best corner in the NFL and yelled into the microphone, “Don’t you ever talk about me!”
Seahawks fans who watched the interview thought nothing of it. This is Sherman’s way. He talks and talks and this isn’t the first time he’s put someone in their place. There’s the infamous “I’m better at life than you,” interview with Skip Bayless.
But to people who don’t know Sherman or appreciate his willingness to say what he thinks, he was called a thug and worse on social media sites everywhere. It was the rant heard around the world as it was replayed over and over again on every news channel and late-night television hosts had a heyday.
But what people weren’t talking about was the awesome game that Seattle played.
Prior to kickoff, Doug Baldwin had a chance to run home and caught some sports commentators on TV giving their opinions on Seattle’s receivers – “pedestrian” was one descriptive term that stood out in particular. Well Baldwin didn’t like hearing that, as you can imagine and ended up playing the game of his career against the 49ers – six catches for 106 yards and a 69-yard kickoff return.
During his interview after the Hawks were victorious his one statement spoke volumes about those who would refer to him or any of the other receivers on the team as “pedestrian.” He said, “Well, we are going to walk our ass right to the Super Bowl.” Boom!
You see, for all of the criticisms this team gets, they still manage to win. If Baldwin is somehow subpar compared to Anquan Boldin or Michael Crabtree on the 49ers, I’d sure hate to see what he could do if he wasn’t “pedestrian.”
Something else that seemed to be not talked about is Russell Wilson’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse on a fourth and seven play in the 4th quarter.
Wilson, although he gave up a turnover on a fumble on the first snap of the game was able to hold his composure when it mattered and made some amazing plays.
The first half was stagnant at best but early in the third quarter, Marshawn Lynch proved his reputation as a beast by running the ball in for a 40-yard touchdown. But you probably didn’t hear much about that, not with the hubbub about Sherman boasting he’s the best corner in the NFL and all.
If you were to ask any of the Seahawks players what it would mean to have the so-called experts and commentators give this team credit where credit is due I suspect they would all say it wouldn’t mean much. They’ve gone this season 15-3. They were No. 1 seed in the NFC and came out with the conference championship, they are on their way to the Super Bowl and they got there without the media coddling them or singing them praise — they certainly don’t need their support now.
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